Ford Explorer article in Peterson's 4-Wheel magazine

[4x4junkie]

Petersons just did an article on "How to Buy a Used Explorer" if no one's seen it yet.

Decent article... (4 pages worth) They were quite thorough about all the issues to check for (almost too thorough lol), though it seems they still have a little bit left to learn about the axles (both on 1st and 2nd gens).

Some great pics of moderately to well-built rigs in there.

June 2013 issue if anyone wants to check it out.

 

[6.2]

cool, might have to pick that one up. havent bought a petersons in a while

 

[jhammel85]

Here's the link to the online article.

http://www.4wheeloffroad.com/techarticles/131_1306_how_to_buy_a_used_explorer/

 

[PlumCrazy]

I actually was about to post up about it myself.lol

There was a pretty good article on Spicer U-Joints in the issue as well.

Sent from my DROID RAZR using Tapatalk 2

 

[straycat]

Check out the Bronco II in the July issue. Nice article.

 

[Surrey]

hahahaha at the bottom of the article, under one of their pictures, they are talking about a SAS and they say "a good budget option is a dana 30"

Arn't those significantly weaker than the d35 TTB the explorer comes with? And expensive due to Jeep owners needing 'em 'cause they keep breaking on 'em?

 

[dangerranger83]

But howd the after market on the ttb d35 vs the d30...

Significantly weaker, that depends on a few things.

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[Twister]

Are cracked heads really that common on the 4L? That is the second place where it has been said they crack easily.

 

[PlumCrazy]

Are cracked heads really that common on the 4L? That is the second place where it has been said they crack easily.

Not as bad as the 2.9 were.

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[BlackBII]

This sploder is sweet.

If only my two door hadn't died a month ago....

 

[4x4junkie]

Yeah the article I think comes off a little too negative (why my "too thorough" comment above) and could've been better-researched.

The D30 most certainly is weaker, and aftermarket parts cannot do a thing about the strength of the ring & pinion gears.

4.0L head cracks are not unheard of, but they definitely aren't as common as the article leads on (like on 2.9s). Almost all of what's said IMO could've simply been summed up once as: "Check for signs of overheating and/or cooling system neglect, such as cracked heads and/or coolant leaks".
No mention whatsoever about how durable the motors are otherwise, and they were quick to mention V8 swapping (like the stock drivetrain really sucks ).
They were relatively kind to the A4LD though, simply stating it benefits from having an external cooler (which seems true to me, I've seen many examples of A4LDs w/coolers take lots of abuse).




FourWheeler had an article covering Explorers too, though it's focus was more on a SMORR offroad event held in Missouri and not as much about details of the vehicle itself. There's a red/white doorless BII pictured that I thought might've belonged to a member here, but not sure who's (not who I initially thought).
Seems it's not up on FW's website yet...

 

[sbsrlewis]

Junkie that would be my BII. That was from last May at SMORR. I went with Rick (orange explorer in the article) and some of the other guys from over at Serious Explorations www.explorerforum.com Great bunch of guys and SMORR has some great trails and facilities. They are going again in July if anyone is interested. I won't be making it this year though. Have the engine out of the BII and doing some upgrades to everything.


Steve

 

[88_Eddie]

it's petersens, if you took a dump on jeep hood, they'd do a 4 page spread about the great effects of a turd on a jeep hood.

glad the EX is getting some rep though

 

[UrbanRedneckKid]

... They are going again in July if anyone is interested....

Steve

Already on the list! So excited!
It would be sweet if we had a few more Rangers out there, so far I'll be the Lone Ranger...

...I really need to get on fixing my blown up M5... And getting my front bumper finished.

 

[country0001]

They have a spread on a B2 that competed in KOH. Plus a ranger in reader rides.
RBV's are getting some love lately